Few traffic collisions are as harrowing and potentially catastrophic as a motorcycle accident. With little more than a helmet and safety gear to protect them, motorcyclists are highly vulnerable to harm in a crash. Many victims struggle with mounting healthcare expenses, missed time at work, and a reduced quality of life after a wreck. However, if someone else is to blame for a motorcycle accident, Virginia law says they can be held financially responsible for its consequences.

Did you get hurt in a Charlottesville motorcycle crash? At Lichtenstein Law Group PLC, our knowledgeable injury lawyers can help you pursue the money you need as you recover from your injuries. Our legal team can evaluate your situation and identify all sources of compensation for you. With over 100 years of combined experience, we have the knowledge and talent to handle the toughest cases. Contact us today for a free consultation with a skilled Charlottesville motorcycle accident lawyer.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

The top causes of motorcycle accidents in Charlottesville include:

• Distracted driving – Drivers who are absorbed in text messages or other distractions are more likely to overlook nearby motorcyclists and cause devastating wrecks.
• Driver impairment – Drivers who are drunk, high, or dangerously fatigued are prone to nodding off or committing avoidable errors that lead to collisions with motorcyclists.
• Reckless driving – Reckless and aggressive behaviors like speeding, tailgating, and weaving between lanes of traffic give drivers little time to spot motorcyclists on the road or react quickly enough to avoid them.
• Driver error – Teen motorists and other drivers with limited experience are more likely to commit dangerous mistakes like failing to yield the right of way, running red lights, and failing to check blind spots before changing lanes. These errors can be deadly for motorcyclists.
• Defective car parts – When a vehicle’s mechanical components develop defects due to poor maintenance or lax manufacturing standards, the vehicle is more likely to fail in traffic and contribute to catastrophic motorcycle crashes.
• Poor road conditions – Some motorcycle accidents occur due to roads with poor design, construction, or a lack of maintenance.

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are roughly four times more likely to sustain injuries and 28 times more likely to die in traffic accidents than vehicle occupants. That’s because motorcyclists lack the protective frames, seatbelts, airbags, and other safety features that shield vehicle occupants from the worst of a crash. Common examples of motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Broken bones
• Face, skull, and jaw injuries
• Neck and shoulder injuries
• Joint injuries, especially to knees and elbows
• Soft tissue injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Road rash
• Cuts and lacerations
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Burns
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Other emotional and psychological injuries

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

When you get hurt in a motorcycle accident in Charlottesville, you have the right to pursue compensation from whoever is liable for your injuries and crash-related losses. Potentially responsible parties include:

• Motorists – Car drivers, truckers, and other motorists are responsible for many motorcycle accidents. A motorist may be liable if they were intoxicated, distracted, or violating traffic laws when the crash occurred.
• Other road users – Pedestrians and cyclists might also bear liability if their negligent actions contributed to the accident. Examples included darting out in front of traffic or ignoring traffic signals.
• Manufacturers – If a defective component somehow contributed to the motorcycle accident, that part’s manufacturer might be liable.
• Local governments – If poor road conditions contributed to the accident, the local or state government responsible for maintaining the road could be held financially responsible for a wreck and resulting injuries.

Are Helmets Required for Virginia Motorcycle Riders?

Yes. Under Code of Virginia § 46.2-910, motorcycle operators and passengers must wear protective helmets while riding their vehicles. Helmets must meet or exceed the minimum safety standards established by the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation.

Motorcycle operators and passengers in Virginia must also wear face shields, safety glasses, or goggles while riding their motorcycles unless those motorcycles feature safety glasses or windshields as standard equipment. Tinted visors, glasses, and shields are not recommended because they make it difficult to see at night.

What Compensation Is Available for a Charlottesville Motorcycle Accident Claim?

With a successful motorcycle crash injury claim in Charlottesville, VA, you could recover compensation for losses such as:

• Medical bills
• Incidental costs, such as travel expenses for medical appointments
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Losses in future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Lost quality of life

Obtaining compensation hinges upon proving the at-fault party’s negligence, which means you need strong evidence to build a convincing claim. This is especially important because Virginia has some of the harshest negligence laws in the nation. Put simply, you lose your case if you are found even one percent responsible for a wreck. The best way to protect your right to compensation is by hiring a Charlottesville motorcycle accident lawyer.

Is There a Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Injury Claim?

Most motorcycle accident injury claims in Charlottesville are subject to Virginia’s statute of limitations on personal injury suits. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim.  If you attempt to sue after the deadline passes, you will lose your right to demand compensation for your losses in court.

Filing on time is critical whether or not you want to plan to sue. Your ability to threaten a lawsuit is your best bargaining chip during insurance settlement talks. As we say at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC: prepare for trial, negotiate from strength.

Contact a Charlottesville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you or someone close to you suffered injuries in a motorcycle collision, you deserve experienced, aggressive legal representation to demand justice and accountability for you. The Charlottesville motorcycle accident attorneys at Lichtenstein Law Group PLC will handle every aspect of your case and help you pursue the best possible outcome. Call or contact us today to speak with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer.